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Swedish to English translations [PRO] Sports / Fitness / Recreation / Fotboll
Swedish term or phrase:markeringar
Hi all, I'm translating a book about Zlatan Ibrahimović (his autobiography) from English to Czech and there is one word I don't quite understand in the English text and I thought it may have been translated inaccurately from Swedish.
The original Swedish context goes as follows: "Motståndarbackarna var på mig som vargar, och det började bli känt att jag hade ett humör. Spelarna och publiken försökte provocera mig hela tiden med efterslängar och glåpord och skit. Zigenare, tattare, grejer om min morsa och min familj, allt möjligt skrek de, och det hände att jag tände till. Det var några skallningar, eller MARKERINGAR åt det hållet. Men jag spelar ju som bäst när jag är arg, och det lossnade verkligen."
This is the official English translation: "The opposing defenders were on me like wolves, and word had got round that I had a temper. The players and spectators tried to provoke me all the time with insults and abuse and shit. Gypsy, vagrant, stuff about my mum and my family – they’d shout all kinds of crap, and from time to time I blew up. There were some headbutts, or MARKERINGAR in that direction. I play best when I’m angry, though, and things really loosened up."
Could anyone help me find out what the word "markeringar" means? It was translated as "markings" into English, but I don't think I get it. As I already found some mistakes in the English translation, there's a chance it's another mistranslation. Anyway, in this context Zlatan is trying to say that there were some times when he couldn't stand the provocations anymore, headbutted some opponents, and did something else as well, but this is where I'm lost. Logically, I thought he might have meant he had made some gestures at the spectators/opponents, but I'm not sure if the word "markeringar" in Swedish may convey this message.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. If you could post your explanations in English, I would be grateful. Although I spent a semester in Kristianstad back in 2008, I have only basic knowledge of Swedish. :) Thanks!
Well, it seems the easiest thing would be to make it sound indefinite as it does in English (and probably Swedish as well). I.e. to use a structure similar to "there were some...", which doesn't clearly indicate whether it was Zlatan doing this, or the others, or maybe both sides.
Will just get back on this 'cause it's fun. But, based on the text you give, I'll disagree with Roger after consulting with my grown son who has been on the field in a less prestigious (and profitable), but no less serious context. The surrounding context may give you a clearer indication of who is doing what to who(m), as the Swe isn't 100% clear. My consultant says that either it means Zlatan's doing it his opponents, or this means they are doing it to each other.
Either way, they are using actions or threats, as you likely understand. And 'markering' in this context refers to a clear indication of a threat to retaliate (with physical pain), but perhaps not by biting.
PS. Nice reference, good find, but I think mime is still too cultivated for this context.
That's an interesting comment, Roger, thanks! I will really need to have a look at it the other way round as well. I was kind of taking it for granted that it was Zlatan who was headbutting others because so far in the book it's been him who usually did this when he got angry, and here the preceding sentence again talks about him having blown up. If it was his opponents headbutting him, then I suppose the word "markings" would probably get its usual meaning – to mark a player, i.e to defend him carefully. Well, another point of view for me to think about.
I just wanted to make sure I understand the text correctly and I think you guys confirmed it here. Thanks again. I'm sure I won't have a problem finding the proper Czech term as I'm a soccer player myself and I focus on sports translations. :) As regards your note about the English translation – without any intention to judge anyone else's work I'll just say that the book was translated by a female translator, which was quite surprising for me since the book is full of football-related slang and language.
about giving back to the 'abusive' opponents? That is, he was retaliating with headbutts and (these markings)? I'd say that on the field 'hints' is too subtle to describe what is actually going on. But using the term 'markering' here is almost sarcastic because these guys are inflicting pain on each other -- as opposed to the teacher giving a 'glare of disapproval'. Perhaps if you put it in 'quotes' you might give it closer idea to the Swe. He is 'signalling' that he's not going to put up with being taunted or mistreated.
BTW, I find the English translation here pretty lame altogether, as if the translator has never listened to the man in an after game interview or has never played any sports, let alone pro football/soccer. An example, 'shout all kinds of crap'? Nobody shouts on the field, ... its screaming!
See how this works -- 'There'd be headbutts, or other 'kind signals' to that effect'
Asker: Thanks for your reply, Per-Erik. You're right with the meaning "to guard a player". I know that this is commonly used in English as "to mark a player". But as you're suggesting, it doesn't fit in here.
As to your suggested word "hint" – what do you think Zlatan did? Said something harsh or by making a hint you mean he showed something at the people? I'm not sure I grasped it correctly.
Asker: Per-Erik, the thing is that it's Zlatan who reacts, so IMO the verb "markera" applies to what he's doing in reply to the fans'/opponents' behavior. But I think you guys now confirmed what was meant by the second part of the sentence. I just needed to grasp the meaning, to make sure it talks about some reaction from him. I won't have a problem now figuring out how to put it in Czech. :) Thanks
20 hrs confidence:
indications
Explanation: :-
George Hopkins Local time: 08:00 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 6
Explanation: The way I see it is that the English translation looks a bit literal in places. I do wonder whether it just means "and that sort of action/thing" or "similar" to give an idea of what other players were doing with a view to putting the player off. This also covers "in that direction", which I personally find too literate. I think you may just need to re-word it a little to put across that idea if you agree with what I'm suggesting. Not being a football expert, I stand to be corrected!
Helen Johnson United Kingdom Local time: 07:00 Native speaker of: English
Explanation: The dictionary has "indication" or "hint" as the basic sense, and I interpret that as meaning he lost his temper, and retaliated with some headbutts, or at least some moves in that direction. Or amplify that a bit - "... headbutts, or at least some threatening moves in that direction.
Peter Linton (X) Local time: 07:00 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 2
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